NATIONALIFATCA has praised Pakistan’s air traffic controllers for maintaining safe and efficient operations during recent regional airspace disruptions. The appreciation was conveyed in a letter by IFATCA Asia Pacific Executive Vice President Cheryl Chen.
NATIONALPresident Asif Ali Zardari said cooperation with China can help modernise infrastructure and strengthen industrial capacity, as he reviewed progress on MoUs signed during his recent visits. He also received a briefing on development plans for Cadet College Petaro.
BusinessEquity mutual fund assets fell 13% in March 2026 to Rs570 billion as investors shifted to safer instruments amid a PSX downturn. The broader mutual fund industry’s total assets declined 3% to Rs4.37 trillion.
BusinessProvisional FBR data shows salaried individuals paid Rs420 billion in income tax during July-March, compared with Rs197 billion collected from the real estate sector. The figures also show higher withholding tax collection on plot sales and fresh proposals for property tax relief.
BusinessGold prices in Pakistan fell on Monday, tracking losses in the international market amid a stronger US dollar and inflation concerns. Silver also declined, while the rupee edged up slightly in the inter-bank market.
NATIONALThe Punjab government has sought Rs24 billion to launch a fuel subsidy scheme for motorcyclists, with officials saying 12.5 million bikers may qualify. The province has also expanded relief through fee waivers and free public transport.
EntertainmentPaddington: The Musical was the biggest winner at the 2026 Laurence Olivier Awards in London, taking seven prizes including Best New Musical. The ceremony marked the awards’ 50th anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall.
EducationMore than one million Grade 8 students in Punjab are still awaiting their final combined annual results despite the start of the new academic session. The delay has left promotion to Grade 9 unclear as schools await official guidelines.
LocalPolice in Rawalpindi have registered a case and launched an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in Chaklala. The Rawalpindi CPO has ordered a report and directed police to arrest the suspect immediately.
Arts & CultureA two-day Basant Festival at Khanpur Dam brought together local and foreign visitors for kite flying, food and water-based activities. Organisers said the event aimed to provide healthy entertainment and promote tourism.
Pakistan Railways Police said it reunited 143 missing children with their families between January 1 and March 31, 2026. The department also returned lost valuables worth Rs16.2 million and assisted 3,176 passengers nationwide.
CITYUnannounced gas outages in Karachi have disrupted households, pushed residents to eateries and LPG shops, and drawn criticism from political parties. SSGC denied any disruption during meal times and said supply was being managed across sectors.
